Wansteadium

Redbridge Council is expected give the go ahead today for a major development on the Evergreen Field which would mean a block of 24 flats being built on the site.

The development will be three and four-storey blocks with a children’s day nursery on the ground floor, and with part of the site being turned into a new public open space.

All the flats would be classed as “intermediate affordable housing in Shared Ownership”. Redbridge is under an obligation to deliver 1,409 new homes this year – these 24 would count towards that total.

The plan inludes a new landscaped area to the back of the block with a small lake, ownership of which will be transferred to the council. The developers will make a one-off payment of £360,000 to fund Vision maintaining the park for 30 years.

Councillors at the Planning Committee are expected to accept the recommendation of planners that the scheme be approved.

The decision is expected to be a conclusion to a saga which has been running for at least 60 years since two houses which were previously on the site were demolished. The land has stood unused and fenced off since then, though the lack of buildings on one side of the high street has definitely been seen as one of the factors making Wanstead attractive.

John Wagstaff of Petty Son & Prestwich writes:

As a proud member of our vibrant community here in Wanstead, I believe in the power of sharing experiences to raise awareness and support one another. Recently, I embarked on a journey I never anticipated – a journey through prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.

In November 2022, I received the diagnosis which would change my life. The revelation came as a surprise – I had no symptoms to indicate any health concerns. It was a routine blood test, part of a general medical check-up, that revealed the presence of cancer. Despite leading a healthy lifestyle and being in good shape, cancer does not discriminate based on fitness levels or age.

Following the diagnosis, I underwent a prostatectomy operation in February 2023. It was a challenging time, filled with uncertainty and worry. However, I am grateful to report that the margins were clear, and subsequent pathology showed that the tumour had not spread beyond the prostate. Since then, my quarterly blood tests have shown encouraging results, with all indicators pointing towards recovery.

Throughout this journey, I have experienced firsthand the importance of early detection and proactive healthcare. That’s why I urge every man over 45 to prioritise their health and schedule regular check-ups with their GP. A simple blood test can make all the difference in catching prostate cancer early when it’s most treatable.

To further assess your risk, I encourage everyone to visit the Prostate Cancer UK website and use the Prostate Cancer UK Risk Checker tool. This valuable resource provides personalised insights and guidance based on individual risk factors.

I also want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Prostate Cancer UK for their unwavering support throughout my journey. Their resources, guidance, and advocacy play a crucial role in raising awareness and providing assistance to those affected by prostate cancer. I encourage everyone to support them in any way they can, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading awareness in our community.

Leyton and Wanstead MP John Cryer has announced he will not be standing in the general election on 4 July. He will be stepping down to spend more time with his young family.

The decision means the Labour Party will need to nominate someone else to contest the seat which has been solidly Labour since it was created in 1997.

Cryer, 60, has been Wanstead’s MP since 2010 – he followed the footsteps of his father and mother, both of whom were MPs. He tweeted on Monday:

A Statement from me about Standing in this General Election. pic.twitter.com/PjJrld19g3

— John Cryer (@JohnCryerMP) May 27, 2024

By Wansteadium’s opera reviewer Austin Allegro

Opera folk are accustomed to some or all of the characters ending up dead. In All Rest, the Wanstead-themed opera premiered in St Mary’s churchyard on Monday, everyone is dead to begin with. 

However as audience members are led around the graves by robed spirits, the cast come back to life. Apparitions of various deceased sing their tales of loss, longing or lives lived; human voices rising above the birdsong in the evening sun. What nearby golfers would have made of it is not known.

Among the characters are Jessie Nutter, one of the sisters who bequeathed much to the people of Wanstead, enquiring of her sister what happened to the Green; a watchman waiting in the sentry box, night after night; the unnamed mother of 15-year-old Sarah clutching a doll as if it would bring her dead girl back; and, magnificently, astronomer-rector James Pound lighting up the shadows as he delights in having predicted an eclipse.

By walking among us, these dead mingle with the living, who are now only separated by accidents of time. Perhaps they are standing as a warning that it’s later than we think.

All Rest was composed by Italian-born (but Wanstead-living) Simone Spagnolo with libretto by Serena Braida, and was brought to life as part of St Mary’s Music Festival. The composition, staging and performance were of a standard rarely seen in these parts; more chances to experience it will be demanded.

The centenary of Wanstead High School is upon us, and as an opening salvo in the celebrations the school’s PTA has organised a centenary ball on 15 June.

A spokesman said: “This is a community event open to anyone who would like to support the school and the PTA – past pupils, parents, local businesses.   There is a three course meal from the fabulous Rear Window restaurant at the Hitchcock, a band and a DJ. There will be a silent auction and raffle on the night with some high quality prizes donated by businesses from Wanstead and East London.

Tickets can be purchased here.

The church bells at St Mary’s which have been not up to their usual standards are now repaired and chiming away faithfully.

The hour strike has been missing, and the third quartet of the hour chimes had an extra beat to them, something which some some locals had noticed. But following some intrepid (but fully health-and-safety compliant) repair work the bells are back.

It’s just in time for the second St Mary’s Music Festival which starts on Saturday. Details are here.

But meanwhile here’s a treat – scenes captured from the tower by St Mary’s stalwart James Paterson.